Spanish journos flocking to South Africa

A big Spanish media contingent, consisting of 44 journalists, is flying to South Africa to cover the much anticipated international friendly between Bafana Bafana and Spain at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night next week, 19 November 2013.

The size of the media contingent reflects the intense interest in the match, which will be screened live throughout Europe and other parts of the globe.

Bafana skipper Itumeleng Khune said: “The interest showed by the Spanish media in this match means that this is going to be an amazing spectacle. Soccer fans, sports enthusiasts and just anyone eager to see excellence in action should be at the stadium on Tuesday night.”

According to the South African Football Association (Safa), sports reporters representing radio, online, print and television from 14 different media establishments in Spain will cover the match and give a healthy boost to South Africa’s image in the process.

The match is set to be a rip-roaring affair, with both sides pitching their best players. Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has promised to make South Africa a force to be reckoned with in time for the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments in Morocco and Libya, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Igesund beefed up his squad with nine foreign-based formidable veteran players such as Khune, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bongani Khumalo and Kagisho Dikgacoi, who will be playing alongside emerging young players such as Bongani Zungu, Ayanda Patosi and Kermit Erasmus.

On the other hand, the reigning world and European champions, Spain, will be fielding an impressive team that includes 13 players, who were part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup winning team in South Africa.